JAMMU: The Law School, University of Jammu, commemorated Samvidhan Divas 2024 with a series of engaging activities, including a symposium on the Interface between Fundamental Rights and Duties, an interactive session, and a Constitutional Pledge. The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Seema Rohmetra, Director, The Law School, who highlighted how fundamental rights, while offering individual freedoms, are inherently linked to the duties one has towards the nation and society. Dr. Rohmetra welcomed the esteemed guests and participants, setting the tone for the day’s deliberations.
The event saw the presence of prominent dignitaries, with Shri Subash Gupta, District & Sessions Judge (Rtd.) and Former Member of the Public Service Commission, Shri Ajay Sharma, JKPS, SP Jammu South, and Shri Kartik Shrotriya, IPS, SDPO Gandhinagar, gracing the occasion as Guests of Honor. The symposium saw 30 participants who delved into the complex relationship between fundamental rights and duties as enshrined in the Constitution. In this context, participants explored not only the legal aspects but also the socio-political implications of this relationship.
Shri Subash Gupta provided an insightful analysis of the evolution of fundamental rights in India, tracing their origin across different jurisdictions and highlighting how the liberal interpretation by Indian courts has significantly expanded their scope. He discussed the landmark transition from the "Procedure established by law" to the more expansive interpretation of "Due process of law" following the Maneka Gandhi Case, thus broadening the horizon of fundamental rights.
In his interaction with students, Shri Ajay Sharma, SP South, highlighted the concept of ‘Dharma’ in the Indian context, which, he argued, serves as the moral and ethical compass for holding individual actions accountable. He encouraged participants to consider this ancient framework in the modern context of understanding the relationship between fundamental rights and duties. Sharma's perspective brought a cultural and ethical dimension to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of responsibility alongside the assertion of individual rights.
The symposium concluded with the announcement of winners. Monika Dhiman secured the first prize, followed by Shagun Manhas and Anshika Gandhi. The remaining participants were awarded certificates of appreciation for their valuable contributions to the discussion. The program culminated in a Constitutional Pledge, where participants solemnly pledged to uphold the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Nitan Sharma, a faculty member of The Law School, and was supported by students Sushant, Suhani Sharma, Tanvi Bhagat, and Suhasini, whose efforts ensured the smooth execution of the program.
